Juan Sanchez
Sept. 23, 1963 to Jan. 13, 2010
Juan “Meche” Sanchez, 46, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 in Englewood, Colo. He was born on Sept. 23, 1963
in Juarez, Mexico.
Meche, as he was known by those close to him, will always be remembered by his family and friends as a great person
who was always willing to help when needed or give the shirt off his back to ensure someone else would stay warm.
Meche was very dedicated to his family and friends always making them a priority. Because of his great personality,
he touched many lives and made many friends. Meche, you were a God send who truly blessed us with your simple presence.
We will miss your special laugh and your huge smile. We will always keep you in our hearts and in our souls. We
will cherish your memory and the great legacy you leave behind. We will always love you, now and forever. Meche
served his country as a distinguished veteran of the Army National Guard out of El Paso, Texas.
Survivors include his sons, Juan Paulo and Anthony Herrera; daughters, Diana and Magaly Sanchez; parents, Antonia
Solorio and Miguel Solorio. Juan is also survived by Obdulia Alonso and her husband Juan; Patricia Gonzales-McEntire
and her husband Larry; Ricardo Solorio; Miguel Solorio and his wife Rosa; Rosalia Schubert, all of Alamogordo;
Alfredo Solorio; Gerardo Solorio and his wife Sylvia; Ismael Solorio, of Las Cruces; Gilbert Valdez of Fortworth,
Texas; Raul Solorio and his wife Angie; Jesus Solorio and his wife Chella; Elena Cabello and her husband Inez;
Mario Solorio and his wife Poncha, of Chicago, Illinois; Bertha Solorio Bechthum and her husband Carsten of France;
Francisco Solorio of Juarez, Mexico and many nieces, nephews and cousins.Juan was a loving son, brother and father
who was loved by all. He will be dearly missed.
Rosary will be recited at 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home. Mass of the Resurrection
will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Bryant
Hausfeld.
The family will greet friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home. [Published in the Alamogordo Daily News from 1/14/2010 - 1/29/2010]
James L. Sanders
(1933 - 2006)
James L. “Jim” Sanders passed away at his home in Alamogordo, New Mexico on September 26, 2010. Jim was 77 years
old when he passed on after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was born on February 5, 1933, in Grundy County, Tennessee to Grover Cleveland and Myrtle Rosa (Parks) Sanders.
Jim and his brothers Jack and Glynn spent the next twelve years in Grundy County learning to swim, hunt and fish
before moving west with their parents.
The family stopped in Plainview, Texas on the way west. Grover looked at a farm and was talking to the farmer
about his place. The wind was blowing 90 to nothing and Grover asked if the wind always blew this way. The farmer
told Grover that sometimes it came from the other direction. Grover loaded up the family and kept going to Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
Jim and the family did well in Albuquerque. Jim was a great roller skater, except for one night. Jim was skating
at a local rink when he saw a pretty girl sitting on a bench. Jim thought he’d like to get to know her so he skated
over to the bench. Meaning to slide to a stop right next to her, he picked up a little speed on his skates. He
landed beside her on the bench, but instead of stopping beside her, he knocked her right off the bench. It turned
out OK though, because that pretty girl, Jeanne Danley, became Mrs. James L. Sanders on September 1, 1951.
Jim and Jeanne lived in Albuquerque until Jeanne’s father Henry Danley landed a job with Tony Llewellyn Construction.
Jim always loved driving trucks and this began his passion for driving big rigs.
Jim spent his life working. Jim and Henry Danley went into business together sometime in the early 1970s. Danley
Feed Store then became Sanders and Danley Feed Store as it remains today.
Jim started another business in the late 1970s. Oasis Enterprises Inc. is a trucking business that concentrates
hauling potable water to residents of the county that have no wells. Jim always felt that providing water to those
who have none was a great calling. For all these years, Oasis has provided Jim with the opportunity to drive the
trucks that he loved.
The phrase “if work is play, you’ll never work another day” described Jim to a tee. He had some of his best times
working on forest fires or filling lakes and ponds for movies or testing on the base. Jim worked all the way until
the Lord called him home. His last fire camp was on the New Fire in Dell City, Texas working a fire in the Guadalupe
National Forest in June of this year.
One of Jim’s other favorite activities was going to coffee early in the mornings. He went to the Alamo Grill for
the last few years with several buddies. The men at that table could solve a lot of problems, and if politicians
were inclined to listen, they would have.
Jim worked hard to give back to his community. He was the second President of the Alamogordo Breakfast Lion’s
Club. He helped to build the rodeo arena at the fairgrounds and worked hard to make the Jr. Livestock Show and
Sale a success. A proud moment in Jim’s life was being added to the Jr. Livestock Sale ring of honor.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jeanne Sanders of the family home in Alamogordo. His son Eddie Sanders of Los Lunas,
New Mexico and daughter Sharon Holmes and her husband Jonathan of Alamogordo. Jim had eight grandchildren and
six great grand children.
Jim is survived by two brothers, Jack Sanders and his wife of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Glynn Sanders and his wife
of Neosho, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.
And Jim’s trusty sidekick Rebel (a truck driving Jack Russell Terrier) continues to stand guard at the family home
and the business.
Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Jimmie Jean and son Leonard and his parents Grover Cleveland and Myrtle
Rosa Sanders.
A memorial service will be held at Hamilton O’Dell Funeral Home at 1334 North Scenic Drive in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Services will begin at 10:00 AM, Thursday, September 30, 2010 and will be followed by a lunch reception at the
New Beginnings, Church of the Nazarene at 817 North Scenic Drive.
The Sanders family has entrusted their loved one to Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home to direct the arrangements. Cremation
will take place locally at PCS.
Farewell Jim Sanders and you will always be known as a man among men.[unknown newspaper/unknown contributor]
Jose Sandoval
(1938 - 2010)
Master sergeant, U.S.A.F., retired
Jose went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. He was born March 5, 1938, in Picacho to Jose I. and Juanita
(Mendoza) Sandoval.
He was best known to family and friends as Zeke. He retired as a master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force after
20 years. He served his country through two tours of duty in Vietnam. After retirement from the service, he worked
for several government contractors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Pauline Rodriguez, and a son, Mark Sandoval.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Carol Sandoval; a son, Michael D. Sandoval and wife, Arnett; stepdaughter
Sandra Preciado and husband, Alex; stepson Pilar (Jerry) Hernandez and wife, Margie; eight grandchildren, Tanaisa,
Desiree, Rachel, Jennifer, Victoria, Alex (June Bug), Jerry Jr. and Joey; four step-grandchildren, Destiny, Stephanie,
Jennifer and Julian; eight great-grandchildren, Lola, Lydia Rose, Damien, Teana, Jasmine, Maddox and Hayley; nine
step-great-grandchildren, Ethan, Gracie, Lexie, Trevin, Xavior, John Michael, Annalicia, Jacob and Joseph; his
brother Manuel Sandoval and wife, Olila, of Lompoc, Calif.; sisters Pat Martinez and husband, Gus, of Roswell,
and Rita Salcido, of Las Cruces; sister-in-law Grace Guidry and husband, Larry, of Alamogordo, and many nieces
and nephews
The rosary will be recited at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at St. Jude Mission by Linda Villavacencio.
Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10 a.m. in the church with Father Tom Hoffman, S.J., as celebrant.
Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Holloman
Air Force Base Steel Talons Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be Alex Preciado Sr., Eddie Rodriguez, Joe Sandoval, Lawrence Sandoval, Filipe Salcido, Alex (June
Bug) Preciado Jr. and Victor Guidry.
The Sandoval family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral
services. [Published in the Alamogordo Daily News from 2/4/2010 - 2/18/2010]
Raymond Samford
(1915 - 1987)
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday for Raymond Samford, 72, who died Thursday in Gerald Champion Memorial
Hospital. Born Jan. 29, 1915, in Tahoka, Texas, Samford had been a Mayhill resident since 1935. A member of the
Church of Christ, he attended church in Pinon.
Survivors include his wife Thelma Samford, Mayhill, daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and James Summers, Mayhill,
Carolin and Leonard Scott, Cloudcroft, Marie and Fred Griffin, Mayhill, Virginia and Bill Stanbrough, High Rolls;
brothers Thurman Samford, Corvallis, Ore., A.C. Samford and Marvin Samford, both of Las Cruces; sisters Claudia
Holt, Anderson, Calif., Ethel Fisher, Fulton, Texas; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Saturday in the Hamilton Funeral Home. Charles Walker and Dee Tidwell
will officiate. Burial will follow in the Parker Memorial Cemetery, Mayhill.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Tiger Stanbrough, Johnny Stanbrough, Wayne Scott, Raymond Davis, Joel Ferguson, Mark
Horton, Kevin Summers and Kendal Summers. Friends may call at Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home from 3 to 5 and 7 to
9 p.m. Friday. [Published in the Alamogordo Daily News, March 12, 1987]
Thelma Samford
(1919 - 1998)
Thelma Samford, 78, of Alamogordo, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 1998, at Betty Dare Good Samaritan Center.
Mrs. Samford was born November 20, 1919 in Mayhill. She was a lifelong area resident. She was a member of the
Mayhill Church of Christ.
Survivors include three daughters, Carolin Scott and her husband, Leonard, of Cloudcroft, Marie Griffin and her
husband, Fred, of Mayhill and Virginia Stanbrough and her husband, "Brother Bill", of High Rolls; a son-in-law
James Summers, of Mayhill; eleven grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; a brother Aris Frizzell and his
wife Juanice, of Mayhill; two sisters, Eva Grice and her husband Jack, and Lora Biggs and a good friend Bob, all
of Carlsbad and two special friends Heubert and Lena Marie Cope, of Mayhill.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse R. Samford; a daughter Shirley Summers and her parents, William
H and Mamie L (Brantley) Frizzell.
Pallbearers will be Tiger Stanbrough, Johnny Stanbrough, Joel Ferguson, Raymond Davis, Mark Horton, Vie Plumb,
Wayne Scott, Joe Bob Thurman, Kevin Summers, Kendal Summers and Bill Dees.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Mayhill Church of Christ with Jim Morrow and Charles Walker officiating.
Interment was followed in the Parker Cemetery.
Friends may call from 5 until 8 p.m. tonight at Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home.[Published in the Alamogordo Daily News]
Leo F Schorn Jr.
(1943 - 2010)
Leo F. Schorn Jr., after a long battle with cancer, died in his sleep at home Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, just 10 days
shy of his 67th birthday. He may have lost the battle, but he won the war. He is now in the presence of God.
Leo was born in Roswell Feb. 19, 1943, to Leo and Frances Schorn. He was preceded in death by his parents and an
infant sister, Rosemary.
He began his own accounting and tax service business in 1983 with a few friends as clients. The business grew steadily.
In 1990 he met the love of his life, Aundria. She later became his wife and business partner.
He had a great desire to help people and lent a helping hand wherever he could. At one time he took steps to become
a priest, but he decided helping people in a more practical matter was where his calling lied. He was an active
member of St. Jude's Parish of Alamogordo. For years Leo was dedicated to the care of his parents.
Leo took great pleasure in making people laugh. He loved teasing people with different political views.
He is survived by his wife, Aundria, of the family home; two stepdaughters Dianna and John Bariou, of San Angelo,
Texas and Beverly Long, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one stepson, Shane and Tammy Curry, of Alamogordo; six grandchildren,
Danielle Fralix and Isaac Luechtefeld, Kimberly Slagle, Chaler, Sean and Katie Curry; and one great-grandson, Garrett
Fralix. He is also survived by two sisters, Laura and Bobby Worley, of Lubbock, Texas, and Sue Reynolds, of Alamogordo;
one brother, Donald Schorn, of Alamogordo; and two nieces and four nephews.
The rosary vigil and recitation of the rosary will take place Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at 5 p.m. at Alamogordo
Funeral Home. The Mass of the Resurrection will take place at St. Jude's Parish Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at 10 a.m.
with Father Wayne Herpin as celebrant and Father Bryant Hausfeld as concelebrant. Interment will follow in Immaculate
Conception Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be held at St. Jude's Parish hall immediately after interment has
taken place.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth Schorn, Mike Reynolds, Mike Dixon, Mike Slagle, Shane Curry and John Bariou.
The Schorn family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home. [Published in Alamogordo Daily News from February 11 to February 25, 2010
] Leonard Scott
(1934 - 2000)
Leonard Scott, 65, of Cloudcroft, died Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2000, at his residence.
Mr. Scott was born Nov. 13, 1934 in Mayhill. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1958 and
in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1958 to 1962. He was a member of the Cloudcroft Church of Christ.
He married Carolin Sammond on Oct. 5, 1958 in Mayhill. Mr. Scott retired after 38 years of service with the United
States Forest Service.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Len W. Scott, his parents Irvin "Doggie" and Lillie (Gililland)
Scott; a sister-in-law, Shirley Summers, and parents in-law, Raymond and Thelma Samford.
Survivors include his wife, Carolin Scott of the family home; a son Wayne Scott and his wife, Anna of Tularosa;
a daughter, Yvonne Thurman and her husband, Joe Bob, of Artesia; four grandchildren, Joseph, Tanya, Carol and Rachel;
two brothers, Vertel Scott and his wife, Lottie, of Cloudcroft and Ronald Scott of Alamogordo; two sisters-in-law,
Virginia Stanbrough and her husband Bill, of High Rolls and Marie Griffin and her husband, Fred, of Cloudcroft;
a brother-in-law, James Summers of Mayhill and an aunt, Georgia Ellison of Alamogordo.
Pallbearers will be Bill Stanbrough, Fred Griffin, Melvin "Red" Morgan, Clinton Varbel, Bill Dees, and
Danny Rael.
Honorary pallbearers will be George Scott, James Summers, Charlie Clayton, Jim Robinson and Wesley Lane.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Cloudcroft Church of Christ with Bill Boverie officiating.
Interment will follow in the Mayhill Cemetery.
The family will receive guests Monday at noon at the Cloudcroft Church of Christ.
Friends may call on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home, 1334 N. Scenic Drive.[Published in the Alamogordo Daily News, Friday, September 22, 2000, page
12A]
Fern Parther-Sides
(1930 - 2010)
Fern Prather-Sides, 80, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010.
She is survived by her daughters, Donna Sauve and husband Emery and Bobbie Harrington and husband Ron; step sons,
James Michael Sides and wife Beckey and John David Sides and wife Beth; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren;
and her siblings, Virtus Savage, Pearl Stumper and husband Ed and Helen Counts of Roseburg, Ore. and Mike Savage
and wife Jane and Van Savage and wife Karen of Springfield, Colo.; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmett and Ollie Savage, her first husband Barney Prather and by her
second husband Ray Sides.
Fern graduated from high school at 15 and worked in a department store in downtown Los Angeles with the help of
a teacher and an amended birth certificate. She met the love of her life, Barney Prather, in 1945 and they married
in 1946. Wherever they lived, California, Texas, Oklahoma or Alamogordo, they made a great, hard working team.
They worked for companies such as Convair, McDonald Douglas and Hugh Aircraft at Holloman Air Force Base. In 1960,
rather than transfer to Florida or Southern California they managed the Alamogordo branch of TBL Insurance Adjusters.
They also enjoyed their ranch home near Tularosa gardening, raising alfalfa and tending various livestock. In 1973
Barney died suddenly. Four years later Fern married Ray Sides, who was retired Air Force. He was also an insurance
adjuster and very active in Sertoma. They enjoyed an active life together until Ray passed away in 1989. Fern loved
and enjoyed her children and grandchildren and even wanted to see them compete in athletic events. She also continued
to be active in the St. Johns Episcopal alter guild, keeping her yard and home immaculate, reading, sewing, quilting
and enjoying jigsaw puzzles.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, 1 p.m., Feb. 6, 2010 at Hope Evangelical Free Church, 4710 Juan Tabo
NE, Albuquerque, NM. Burial has taken place at Monte Vista Cemetery in Alamogordo Cemetery. [Published in the Alamogordo Daily News from 2/1/2010 - 2/15/2010]
Dr. W. Arthur Shields
(1877 - 1947)
Dr. Shields Passed Away At Artesia Wednesday, Oct. 1
Dr. W. Arthur Shields, who had been the only physician resident in a large section of the southern Sacramento Mountain
area of Otero County, passed away at the Municipal Hospital in Artesia, October 1. Dr. Shields had been ill since
last May, but his death was sudden and had not been deemed imminent. He lost consciousness at his home in Weed
the first of the week, and was taken immediately to the Artesia hospital. He rallied there, and on the morning
of his death, he was conscious and feeling greatly improved. Mrs. Shields, who had been constantly at his side,
left to go to town on an errand. On her return, she found that the doctor had succumbed.
Funeral services were conducted in the Catholic Church in Artesia at 11 o’clock Friday by Rev. Francis Gary. Interment
was made in the Weed Cemetery where many friends and former patients gathered in a last tribute of respect and
veneration for one who had labored so long and faithfully among them. The Sacramento choir sang many sacred and
touching songs. Rev. Chester Rogers of Lake Arthur, a very dear friend of Dr. Shields, made a most beautiful and
appropriate talk. There were many gorgeous floral offerings.
Dr. Shields was born in Milam County Texas, October 21, 1877, so had he lived a few more days he would have passed
his 70th year. His education was at Cameron High School; he took his medical degree at the University of Texas
and the Medical Department at Galveston, in May 1902.
He was married to Miss Nellie Harris of Galveston, September 28, 1902. To them was born one son who died in infancy.
Dr. Shields had been practicing in Otero County for the past thirty years, and well served a large community as
a doctor, friend, and neighbor. He will be greatly missed by many families of a large portion of Otero County,
who extend sympathy to the companion of many years left to mourn. [Probably
from Artesia Daily Press 1947, Retyped by Elaine Watson]Aleene Mary Smith
(1919 - 2010)
Aleene Mary Smith passed away Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at Betty Dare Good Samaritan Center.
She was born Dec. 21, 1919, to Hubert and Edna Graves Baker in Weatherford, Texas. On Dec. 9, 1935, she married
John Walter Smith in Lordsburg and of that union they had three children.
She is survived by two children, son George W. and wife, Bunny Smith, of Bloomfield, and daughter Carol S. and
husband, Malcolm F. Hill, of Alamogordo; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren;
a brother, Zayus Baker, of Keene, Texas; a loving sister-in-law, Elwanda Baker, of Azle, Texas; and numerous nieces
and nephews.
Most of her life she was a homemaker in Lordsburg. After the death of her husband she left Lordsburg and spent
the remainder of her life with her children in Alamogordo and Bloomfield.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, John W. Smith, in 1968; and her youngest son, J.D. Smith,
in 1972.
She has been cremated and services are planned at a later date.
Direct cremation has taken place under the care of PCS Direct Cremation Services. [Published in the Alamogordo Daily News from 1/24/2010 - 2/9/2010]
Joseph William Smith
(1870 - 1910)
Joseph William Smith died at Alamogordo, recently. He was born in Moore county, Tennessee, Dec. 24, 1870. From
February, 1877, except the time he spent in Galveston in school, for the most part was spent on a farm near Weatherford,
Texas, until he came to the Sacramento mountains, New Mexico, in April, 1898. He worked for the E. P. & N.
E. Railroad company until it was sold; then with the E. P. & S. W. at Cloudcroft and Alamogordo, until Sept.
15, 1909. He had charge of the electric light plant at Cloudcroft every season except three.
He was united in marriage to Miss Estella Butts, Sept. 3, 1904.
He was a member of the M. E. church, south. He was also a member of the W. O. W. lodge in Alamogordo.
The widow is deeply grateful to the Southwestern and G. H. employes and officials for courtesies extended during
the illness and after the death of her husband. [El Paso Herald, El Paso,
Texas, March 8, 1910 - Submitted by Dale Donlon]
Lawrence R Smith
(1945 - 2010)
Lawrence R. Smith passed away on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at his home. He was a longtime resident of Alamogordo.
Larry was born on Aug. 20, 1945, in Dubois, Pa., to Guy and Evelyn Smith. He married his beloved wife Carol Orwell
on Oct. 8, 1966, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Larry served proudly in the United States Air Force and retired
as a master sergeant in 1983 after 20 years of service, having served in the Vietnam War. He then went on to work
for Army Air until his retirement in 2003.
Larry was an avid hunter and spent many years enjoying the sport with his dear friends and family. He always had
a funny story to tell and a special way of telling those stories. He will be missed by his family and his many
friends that he made through the years.
Larry is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol Smith, of the family home; his daughter Paula Polage, of Alamogordo;
his son Marc Smith and his wife, Maria, of Herndon, Va.; four grandchildren, Ian Polage and his wife, Ashley, of
San Diego, Cameron Polage, of Alamogordo, and Valerie and Alexia Smith, of Herndon. He is also survived by his
mother, Evelyn Comer; his sisters Debbie, Lynne, Tracy and Juanita and his brother Dan. Special mention should
go to his brother-in-law, Bryan Orwell, of Kent, England. His family would like to give special mention to his
hunting companion and friend, Clay Lincoln and his ex-son-in-law, Randy Polage, both of whom were very dear to
him.
Memorial services will be conducted at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at Alamogordo Funeral Home with his special
friend Steve Ellison officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Holloman Air Force Base Steel Talons
Honor Guard.
The Smith family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the arrangements.
Cremation will take place at PCS. [Published in Alamogordo Daily News from
February 13 to February 15, 2010]
Ramona Darlene Snow
(1938 - 2010)
Ramona Darlene Snow, 71, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, in Alamogordo. She was born May 14, 1938, in Quitaque,
Texas, to Benjamin Thomas and Renea Ethel (Barrett) James.
Survivors include her husband, Pop Snow, of Otero County; sons Ben Snow and his wife, Sara, of Artesia, Randy Snow
and his wife, Lesa, of Merkel, Texas, and John Snow and his wife, Ellen, of Apache Creek; granddaughters Amanda
Shaw, Madie Snow and Kylee Snow; and grandsons Mike Jones, Garrett Snow, Andrew Snow, Tyce Snow, Colton Snow and
Rainer Snow. She is also survived by a brother, Benny James and his wife, Joy, of Alaska, and sisters Faye Munson,
of Artesia; Nell Bennett and her husband, Dick, of Carlsbad; Caroline Gaston, of Piñon; Joy Lewis and her
husband, Tom, of Mayhill; and June James, of Weed.
A memorial service will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at the Piñon Community Center.
The Snow family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the arrangements.
Cremation will take place locally at PCS. [Published in Alamogordo Daily
News from February 19 to March 5, 2010]
Ruby Starrett
(1931 - 2010)
Ruby Starrett, 78, passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Ariz. She was born Feb. 13, 1931 in Guyman,
Okla. to William H. and Anna Katherine (Miller) Mussman.
Ruby, a resident of Alamogordo since 1957, was an active member of the Otero Single Group and retired from Beneficial
Finance in the 80's.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Anna Katherine Mussman, and her husband, Bobby Ray Starrett
in 2001.
Survivors include her daughter, Dianna DeSimone and her husband Richard of Phoenix, Ariz.; her son, Daryl Starrett
and his wife Mary; granddaughters, Cheryl Tucker and her husband Tim, Christina DeSimone and Kaylin Starrett.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 at Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel with Chuck Moon officiating.
Inturment will follow at Monte Vista Cemetery in Alamogordo.
The family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
The family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
[Published in the Alamogordo Daily News from 1/19/2010 - 2/4/2010]
Dorothy Bess Steele
(1922 - 2012)
Dorothy was born on April 24, 1922 in Mineral Wells, Texas and passed away in Alamogordo, NM in February 7, 2012.
She was the first child born to Wesley Howard Greer and Katherine Neff Clark.
Dorothy graduated from high school and junior college in Kilgore, Texas and from Charity Hospital School of Nursing
in New Orleans, Louisiana.
March 1, 1942 was the day she married Benjamin F. Steele and they were later sealed together in the Arizona Temple,
Mesa, Arizona. They celebrated 57 years together before his passing in 1999.
In 1960, Dorothy went to work for Dr. Hosford in Alamogordo and served as the school nurse in Cloudcroft. She later
worked in the offices of Dr. Faigle and Dr. Donald Draney, retiring from nursing in 1982.
From 2001-2007, Dorothy was a monitor and counselor of interviewers at the Alamogordo Opinion Center.
Mrs. Steele was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served as a Gospel Doctrine teacher
for eight years. She served, also as a Primary President, Young Women’s President, a Relief Society President and
served Stake Missions in Alamogordo, NM, Mescalero, NM, Cibicue, AZ and Show Low, AZ. Dorothy was grateful for
the loving care given by her church family over the years.
Dorothy is preceded in death by grandparents, parents, Sister Mary Lou Halberdier, her loving husband, Ben and
by a special grandson, David Shepard Steele, IV.
Survivors include her son, F.L. “Dutch” Steele, daughter, Anna Katherine Taylor and her husband, Therean and daughter,
Janet Lee Penny and her husband Larry, her niece, June Ann Halberdier, 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren,
9 great great, grandchildren and extended families, Naiche and Evanc of Mescalero.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Alamogordo Funeral Home, 2301 E. First
Street, with Bishop Parley D. Fillmore officiating.
Burial will follow at James Canyon Cemetery where she will be buried next to Ben.
Pallbearers will be her son “Dutch” and her grandsons, Benjamin Steele, Sean Jett, Lance Muncy, Billy Benjamin
(Tres) Muncy and Tyler Cox.
The family will greet friends at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home before the service.
The Steele family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
Clyde E Stephens
(1944 - 2010)
Clyde E. "Red" Stephens, 66, of Alamogordo, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at Preston Memorial
Hospital in Kingwood, W.V.
Clyde was born Dec. 15, 1944, in Weed to John Daniel "J.D." and Amanda Lyddia (Moehrig) Stephens.
He was a boat captain for Trico Oil and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam from 1963 to 1968. He loved
restoring cars, but he also enjoyed making knives, working with wood and restoring saddles.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John Stephens; and one grandchild, Stephen Wallace Andrews,
on Sept. 28, 2010.
He is survived by two daughters, Sheila LeAnn Andrews and husband, Joseph, of San Antonio, Texas, and Lisa Weaver
and husband, Matt, of Tunnelton, W.V.; two brothers, Daniel Stephens and Claude Stephens, both of Texas; one sister,
Zona Green, of Alamogordo; and two grandchildren, Emily Noelle Weaver and Gwendolyn Abigail Weaver.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at Mountain Acres Cemetery in Mayhill with
the Rev. Joseph Andrews officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy.
The family will greet friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
The Stephens family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the funeral
services. [Published in Alamogordo Daily News from December 2, 2010 to January
2, 2011]Ruby Lois Stephens

Rites Tomorrow For Mrs. Ruby Lois StephensBy SALLY SPARLIN
The Otero county sheriff's office is cooperating with El Paso authorities in the search for some local in the mysterious
murder of an 18-year-old expectant El Paso housewife, the former Ruby Lois Corn of Cloudcroft.
The victim, Mrs. Ruby Corn Stephens, was discovered Wednesday morning by her husband, James, strangled with the
cord of her princess telephone, Sheriff James George confirmed after talking with El Paso police.

Police told local authorities that Stephens, an 18-year-old army specialist fourth class at Fort Bliss, had been
on charge of quarters duty throughout Tuesday night and had returned home about 6:05 a.m. yesterday to find the
kitchen window open. Becoming alarmed and finding the door unlocked, the young husband of only a few months discovered
his wife's lifeless body on their bedroom floor.

Sheriff George quoted El Paso officers as recounting that Stephens had called his wife about
7:40 p.m. Tuesday and she reportedly told him she had eaten supper and that two of their friends had been there
earlier but had left.
A pair of Army buddies questioned with Stephens yesterday were released along with the young soldier, and officers
had indicated that they had established alibis.
"We don't have any reason to think that anyone from around Cloudcroft would have done this thing," Sheriff
George said, "but we can't tell who her friends all were. She went to business school and worked in El Paso
before she married, and there are so many people she could have known that her people don't know about."
Ruling in an inquest held yesterday was withheld pending further investigation, Justice of Peace Bob Lewis said,
and an autopsy reportedly indicated Mrs. Stephens had been struck on the head with enough force to cause unconsciencness.
Death, however, was due to strangulation. There is no indication that she had been sexually molested, as earlier
reports indicated.
Sheriff George said that El Paso police related that the bedroom where Mrs. Stephens was found had been disheveled
and that a dish containing rice was found broken on the floor.
He explained the fact that Mrs. Stephens' family was not notified until the story hit the El Paso papers by saying
that the El Paso authorities told him they did not know she had relatives in Otero county. They had been told only
that Stephens' parents were not living and that the victim's parents were killed in an October, 1962 auto accident
north of Alamogordo.
They did not know, officers explained, that her brother Albert 12, and sister Cathy Lee, 16, both made their home
with a aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fuller of Cloudcroft.
El Paso authorities today were continuing their questioning of neighbors in the area of the 2514 Federal residence
of the victim following reports from at least two persons that dogs had been barking in the area about 1 a.m. Wednesday
and a tip that a women had been heard sceaming about 1:20 a.m.
Services Friday -- The Rev. Don Wright of Cloudcroft
will officiate at Mrs. Stephens' funeral services, which will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Mullins-Hamilton
chapel. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Cemetery. Survivors, in addition to her husband, brother and sister,
and guardians, include her parental grandmother, Mrs. Bessie Jolly of Merizon, Tex.; and maternal grandparents,
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Fuller of Sacramento. Pallbearers will be Hubert Powell, John Lewis, Jim Sherman, Phillip
Fuller, Jessie Fuller, and W. F. Carter.
Friends may call at Mullens-Hamilton funeral home form 7-9 p.m. this evening and from 8 till service time Friday.[The "El Paso Times", El Paso, TX, Aug 28, 1966 and Transcribed
by Andrew Bristol from materials sub. by V. Stanbrough]

Billy King Stephenson
b. February 25, 1935; d. November 24. 2009
Funeral Services 1:00 p.m. Saturday. November 28, 2009 Carrizozo Methodist Church, Carrizozo, New Mexico
Officiating: Johanna Anderson
Internment: Monument Hill Cemetery
Services In Care Of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home[Source: funeral card transcribed by K.T., sub. by V. Stanbrough]
Wallace L. Stephenson
(1915 - 1987)
Funeral services will be conducted Monday for Wallace L. Stephenson, 72, who died Wednesday.
Funeral services will be conducted at Grace United Methodist Church. Dr. Joe T. Emanuel, Rev. Thomas Richardson
and Sacramento Lodge No. 24, A.F. and A.M. will officiate. Interment will follow in Ft. Bliss National Cemetery
at 1:30 p.m.
Pallbearers will include Tom Goodrich, Fred Roeder, Ben Miller, Lee Carl, Ray Conell and Farris Rickman. Honorary
pallbearers will be Jim Heaton, Stan Petterson, Harold Nenninger and William Fish.
Friends may call at the Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
[Published in the Alamogordo Daily News, March 12, 1987]
Mildred G. Stone
(1923 - 2011)
Mildred G. Stone, 88
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at Calvary Baptist Church in Alamogordo with
Pastor Jeff May officiating.
The family requests friends and family to join them for lunch at the church immediately following the service.
Mildred was born July 5, 1923, in Mayhill to Joseph and Olive (Ollie) Miller.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, William A. Stone; two sons, Floyd Stone and his wife, Sue, and Alfred
Stone; and one daughter, Phyllis Stone. Willie and Mildred were blessed with seven grandchildren and a number of
great-grandchildren. Mildred is also survived by one brother, Richard Miller.
The Stone family has entrusted their loved one to the care of PCS to direct the arrangements. Cremation will take
place at PCS. [Published in Alamogordo Daily News from July 26 to August
26, 2011]Joan Storey
(1923 - 2010)
Our beloved Joan Storey passed away on Jan. 20, 2010. She was 87, and died peacefully in her sleep at the home
of her son John P. Storey. She was preceded in death by her husband Franklin "Jack" J. Storey on May
10, 2004.
She is survived by her son and his wife, Ginger; her sister Coline McInnes of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Coline's
children, Rob and Lucie McInnes of Lynnfield, Mass., Lynne and Ross Thompson of Stonewall, Manitoba, and Bill and
Chris McInnes of Mt. Horeb, Wisc. and their families. She is also survived by six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren;
Beth and Richard Gruis, their sons Colton and Christian, Ben and Melisa Storey their children, twins Chance and
Hayden and daughter Madison Claire, Jenny and Jack McCall, their sons Santana and Halen, Bonnie and Caylin Storey,
Christopher Maples, Kenny Love, Jontelle and Jake Brewer, their children Helena and Liam; as well as other family
members, Ginger Storey, Johnna Storey, Bill Maples, Stella Shain; and the many wonderful friends she had made here
in Alamogordo.
In celebration of Joan's life there will be a Memorial Service at St. John's Episcopal Church on Jan. 27 at 2 p.m.
at 1114 Indiana Ave in Alamogordo.
There will be a guestbook and reception to follow the service.
Direct Cremation will take place under the care of PCS Direct Cremation Services. [Published in the Alamogordo Daily News from 1/24/2010 - 2/10/2010]Donald L. Summers
(1944 - 1966)
Final Arrangements Pending For Soldier
Final funeral arrangements are pending today with the Terpening-Paulin mortuary of Artesia for Private First Class
Donald L. Summers, 22, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray A. Summers of Mayhill.
PFC. Summers died Aug. 15 in Viet Nam as a result of metal fragment wounds from hostile mortar fire received while
on combat operations.
Military funeral services will be conducted from the Mayhill First Baptist Church, but the date for services is
pending the arrival of the serviceman’s body here. The Rev. S. M. Morgan, Roswell, retired minister of the First
Baptist Church, will officiate, assisted by an Army chaplain. Burial will be at Elk.
PFC. Summers entered the Army Nov. 29, 1965 and arrived in Viet Nam on June 5, 1966. He was a member of the First
Calvary (Air Mobile) division and was in the Cameron Bay area of Viet Nam when killed. During his Army Career,
PFC. Summers had attended Army leadership training school and had been specially trained in guerilla warfare.
Born Feb. 6, 1944 in Artesia PFC. Summers had attended Artesia High School for three and one-half years.
Survivors include the parents of Mayhill: four sisters, Sue Baril, Denver, Colo, Mrs. Joe Light, Cloudcroft, and
Janice Lorene and Patricia Carol, of the home, two brothers, James Thomas and Ronald Wayne, both of the home; and
the grandmother Mrs. Luella Driver, Finley, Okla.
Burial was August 25, 1966, Elk Cemetery, Chaves County, NM. [Alamogordo Daily News, Retyped by Elaine Watson]
************************
This is Donald L. Summers' military casualty record.

Vietnam War: U.S. Military Casualties, 1956-1998
Name: Donald L Summers
Birth Date: 7 Feb 1944; Death Date: 15 Aug 1966 ; Gender: Male ; Age: 22 ; Race: Caucasian
Home City: Mayhill | Home State: New Mexico| Religion: Baptist - Other Groups
Marital Status: Single (Spouse Not Listed) | SSN/Service #: 54370584 | Citizen Status: U.S.
Death Date: 15 Aug 1966 | Processed Date: Aug 1966
Casualty Country: Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Casualty Type: Hostile - Killed
Casualty Reason: Multi-Fragment Wounds
Casualty Air: Ground Casualty
Body Status: Body Recovered
Service Branch: Department of Army
Component: Selective Service
Military Grade: Private First Class
Pay Grade: Private First Class (U.S. Army) or Airman First Class (U.S. Air Force) or Lance Corporal (U.S. Marine
Corps) or Grade/Rate Abbreviations
Province: Unknown
Service Occupation: Infantry Indirect Fire Crewman (ARMY)
Data Source: Combat Area Casualties Current File
Information submitted by Virginia Stanbrough.
James T. Summers
(1947 - 2006)
James T. Summers, 59, a lifelong resident of Mayhill, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006, in Alamogordo.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 10 a.m. in the Hamiton-O'Dell chapel with the Re. George Stone officiating.
Interment will follow at Parker Cemetery near Mayhill.
Pallbearers will be John Bruzeal, Randy Walker, Merijido Gorman, Jimmy Ward, Ed Turpin, Eddy Coleman and Joel Ferguson.
Honorary pallbearer will be Phil Fuller.
Friends may call Thursday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home.[Published in the Alamogordo Daily News]Shirley Samford Summers
(1946 - 1997)
Shirley Samford Summer, 51, a lifelong resident of Mayhill, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 1997, at her home in the company
of family and friends.
Mrs. Summers was born Jan. 11, 1946 in Mayhill. She was a school bus contractor for the Cloudcroft schools and
the owner of Kimberly's Barn Door Restaurant. She was a member of the Mayhill Church of Christ. An ardent fan
of country music, she was a songwriter and musician herself, as well as being active in many country fan clubs.
Survivors include her husband of 31 years, James Summers of the family home; a daughter Kimberly Summers, of Las
Cruces; two sons Kendall Summers, of Tupelo Mississippi, and Kevin Summers an his wife Jo, of Cloudcroft; two grandchildren,
Jesse and Randy Summer of Cloudcroft; her mother, Thelma Frizzel Samford of Alamogordo; three sisters, Virginia
"Sister" Stanbrough and her husband "Brother Bill", of High Rolls, Carolin Scott and her husband,
Leonard, and Marie Griffin and her husband, Fred, all of Cloudcroft; fifteen nieces and nephews and numerous grandnieces
and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Raymond Samford.
Funeral services will be conducted in the Cloud High School gymnasium with Eddy Coleman officiating. Interment
was followed in the Parker Memorial Cemetery near Mayhill.
Pallbearers were Marvin Samford, Raymond Samford, Don Freeland, Hezzie Powell, Lupe Cuellar and Warren Bain. Honorary
bearers were Robert Dockray, Herbert Dockray, Bill Mershon, Wesley Lane, Ron Shriver, Bill Dees and Johnny Edwards.
Services were under the direction of Hamilton O'Dell Funeral Home.[Published in the Alamogordo Daily News]Charley Jack Swope
(1928 - 2011)
Charley Jack Swope of Alamogordo New Mexico, age 82, passed away on March 1st, 2011 in Alamogordo, New Mexico;
He was born on a ranch in Cloudcroft New Mexico on November 10th, 1928 to Ester Butler, mother and Andrew D. Swope,
father. Charley has gone to heaven to be with his wife Thelma D. Swope, his mother, father and his two sisters;
He is survived by his younger brother and wife David and Lucille Swope, nephews and wives Dave and Dee Swope, Jimmy
and Kathy Swope, Norman and Libby Swope, his two step-daughters Sandra Vigo and Deanna Crane, his granddaughter
Ara Crane, his mother and father in-law Betty and Robert T. Williams, brother in-law and wife Robert Jr and Cathy
Williams, brother in-law Ken Williams and his daughter Dixie Hawk. Charley served 4 years in the Marines and retired
from Civil Service after 37 years. After retirement he went on to work full-time as a Farrier (shoeing horses)
for many years after. He was a long time member of the Alamogordo and Cloudcroft community. His love for animals
is by far his most distinguished characteristic and he spent much time advocating, caring and tending to his dear
friends and companions over the years. Charley was a good “Ole” cowboy and an example of what a gentleman should
be. The memorial service will be held at the Alamogordo Funeral Home on 2301 1st Street in Alamogordo NM 88310
on March 9, 2011 at 10am. Call 575-434-5253 for more information.
The Swope family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
Thelma Delaine Williams Swope
(1948 - 2010)
Thelma Delaine "Dee" Williams Swope, 61, of Alamogordo passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, at Gerald
Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo .
She was born Jan. 17, 1948 in Little Rock, AR to Robert Thomas and Betty J Williams and has lived in Alamogordo
for more than 48 of her 61 years. Dee married Charley J. on Swope Dec. 31, 1989, in Cloudcroft.
She was a graduate of New Mexico State University and, for the past 15 years, worked as a social worker dedicating
her time to helping others. She was a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Prior to social work,
she was a hair stylist for 23 years. She was a Life Master in ACBL. She taught duplicate bridge and was a tournament
director. She was an amazing and extraordinary woman whose strength, hard work and dedication radiated to all those
around her. She will be missed by many and loved by all.
She is survived by her husband, Charley J. Swope; two daughters, Sandra K. Vigo of Alamogordo, and Deanna Elizabeth
Crane and husband, Curtis, of Tularosa; granddaughter, Ara Patrice Crane of Tularosa; her mother and father, Betty
J. and Robert T. Williams of Alamogordo; her two brothers, Kenneth C. Williams of Meridian, Idaho, and Robert T.
Williams Jr. and his wife, Cathy Williams, of Alamogordo; and her nieces Christina, Melissa, Brenda, Amanda, Stacey,
Jenny and Valerie; her nephews Joey and Jeremy; and many more extended family.
A memorial service will be held Friday at 4 p.m., Jan. 15, 2010, at Alamogordo Funeral Home, 2301 First Street,
with Pastor Joe Cantu officiating.
The Swope and Williams families have entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct
the arrangements. Cremation will take place locally at PCS. [Published in
the Alamogordo Daily News from 1/10/2010 - 1/24/2010]
James Earl Syling Jr.
(1929 - 2011)
Dr. Shields Passed Away At Artesia Wednesday, Oct. 1
James Earl Syling Jr., 82, passed away peacefully in his home Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011.
He is survived by his wife, Janet, now residing in Alamogordo. He was a blessed man with six children: Jim, Cheryl,
Gary, Marla, Doyle and Daron. He also had 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jim served 33 years in law enforcement throughout New Mexico with the New Mexico State Police. He retired as District
8 commander in 1985, and continued community service to each area he lived until his death.
He loved life, he treasured his faith and he leaves a legacy of integrity and honor in all those he knew.
A memorial celebration will be held at Hillsboro Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at 11 a.m.
The Syling family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the arrangements.
[Published in Alamogordo Daily News from December 8, 2011 to January 8, 2012]